Author
Topic: Conceptual Help (Read 995 times)

I've been following Linuxmce for a few years and with the construction of my home almost complete I am getting ready to take a plunge into setting up a system. I am in the conceptual stage of my setup and have a question about satellite integration.

I intend to have a core in my basement take care of as much as possible, all of my network, telephone and cable terminate in a server closet where I plan to have the core. In order to integrate satellite feeds to the core I would use a DVB-s or DVB-S2 capture card, is that right? Would a card of this nature take the place of the satellite providers receiver? or would i still need a receiver? I plan to have 3 media directors boot via netboot. I was planning on having two dvb-s or dvb-s2 cards to be able to watch different shows on two different media directors at the same time. Do I have the theory correct, or is there a better way to do this?

I've been following Linuxmce for a few years and with the construction of my home almost complete I am getting ready to take a plunge into setting up a system. I am in the conceptual stage of my setup and have a question about satellite integration.

I intend to have a core in my basement take care of as much as possible, all of my network, telephone and cable terminate in a server closet where I plan to have the core. In order to integrate satellite feeds to the core I would use a DVB-s or DVB-S2 capture card, is that right? Would a card of this nature take the place of the satellite providers receiver? or would i still need a receiver? I plan to have 3 media directors boot via netboot. I was planning on having two dvb-s or dvb-s2 cards to be able to watch different shows on two different media directors at the same time. Do I have the theory correct, or is there a better way to do this?

Thanks,

FOD

DVB-S or DVB-S2 tuners are only suitable for receiving free to air services such as FreeSat if you are located in th UK. Any other service that requires a subscription such as Sky will require that you integrate the service providers STB/PVR. This typically would be located centrally and then an HDMI matrix distribution system would be used to distribute the HDMI signals to any room that you want to be able to watch them in. Multiple rooms can watch the same STB at the same time via the HDMI Matrix. Similarly multiple rooms can watch any channel being received by the DVB-S2 receivers (a single DVB-S2 card can receive all of the services on a single Bouquet or multi-plex) each room having a Media Director to receive the DVB-S2 TV streams.

So, just to make sure i get this. I'm in Canada, so I would need to get a set top box from our service provider. That receiver would be in the basement next to the core and connects to the core via sat cable (rg6) and a capture card. How does the HDMI matrix integrate? Will it allow the sat signal from one receiver to be sent over the network, or would i need to run hdmi from the matrix to the rest of the md's.

So, just to make sure i get this. I'm in Canada, so I would need to get a set top box from our service provider. That receiver would be in the basement next to the core and connects to the core via sat cable (rg6) and a capture card. How does the HDMI matrix integrate? Will it allow the sat signal from one receiver to be sent over the network, or would i need to run hdmi from the matrix to the rest of the md's.

Thanks again.

FOD

Well if the STB is SD then you could use an SD capture card to digitise the output of the STB. If the STB is HD then you can use a capture card such as the HD-PVR yo capture the HD picture out put and deliver it to MythTV for recording etc.

What we prefer to do is keep video from provider STB's or PVR's outside the system and just use an HDMI video matrix to distribute the HD video signal to whichever room you require it in. You would use LinuXMCE to control the PVR/STB's using IR (or IP or RS232 if that is supported by PVR/STB). You loose some flexibility in terms of where the recordings are stored - they are stored in the individual PVR's but you gain in picture quality.

The PVR/STB need to be connected to your Dish/LNB and there video output either needs to be captured into the Core or be distributed via the HDMI Video Matrix and CAT5/6 Baluns/extenders to the TV in any room. The TV itself can be controlled via RS232 or IR.

We haven't yet decided on what service we will use (satellite, free to air or Over the Air, or netflix) but this goes a long way to clearing up some questions I had. I am sure I will come up with a few more going forward.

I would suggest running conduit from your basement to the rooms that will connect to the home automation system. I did this in my home and it has been a lifesaver. For instance, my wife moved her treadmill to another room and asked if I could give her a small tv screen to look at. I was able to pull sound and video cabling to the new location.Just remember that Satellite TV will add complexity to your system (satellite box, hd pvr to get around encryption, possibly a matrix). Then all of these must be properly controlled (usually by rs232 or ir blaster). Then each of the LMCE templates must be set up correctly to ensure everything runs smoothly.

The more I mull it over the less enthused I am about hooking up satellite. I am reluctant to pay the ridiculous subscription fees and am more reluctant to complicate the installation. We are a ways out in the country side, so our options are limited, but I think we are going to try a combination of Over the Air reception of our few local tv stations and some internet service like netflix for specialty programing.

I agree with your suggestion of running conduit. Unfortunately I have already closed up all my walls. I ran cat 6 for network, cat5e for telephone/network and rg6 to all the locations that I thought may have a media director. I hope to use what I have without having to try to 'fish' any additional cabling. See how it goes.

We move into our place this week and I will be unpacking all my computer bits that have been in storage for too long... i am pretty excited to put this all together.

will post my progress as it happens and i will certainly contribute my experience when the time comes.